If you thought the upcoming Polo GTI sounds like a cool little number, then hold onto your helmet - the Audi S1 is looming on the horizon and it's got a spec list that will have hot hatch fans salivating in anticipation.

Not to be confused with the mighty 1985 S1 Sport Quattro road-legal rally car, the 2011 Audi S1 will be based on the far humbler A1 city car and will be the flagship for the range.

Power will be provided by the same twin-charged 1.4-litre TFSI inline four that will be used by the Polo GTI, with a grand total of 150kW and 300Nm being generated by the double-blown four-pot.

A seven-speed twin-clutch S-tronic gearbox will back up that engine and power will be fed to all four wheels via Audi's signature quattro all-wheel-drive system. The addition of AWD alone should make the S1 an exciting proposition for hot hatch buyers, as all-paw tech rarely features on cars of the S1's stature - sporting or not.

Hot hatches typically boast go-kart-like levels of handling, and the S1 shouldn't be anything different. Lower and stiffer springs, magnetically-adjusted dampers and a 40:60 front-rear torque split mean the baby of the S-range should corner like a cut cat.

As for straight line go, the S1 should sprint to triple-digit speeds in a smidge over 6 seconds while top speed will be limited to 250kph.

Bodywork will be typical 'S'. Flared guards, a muscular bodykit, subtle spoiler and big 19-inch wheels will mark the S1 out as the big daddy of the A1 range, as will those trademark silver wing mirrors.

The above renderings are all we have to go off for now, but if they're any indication of the finished product then we're sure it'll be a massive hit when it goes on sale in early 2010. We'll keep you posted on any further news until then.

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• reply ” like !

  

  Cracker Barrel says,
  3 years ago

  <<-- Wants One
• reply ” like !

  

  Will says,
  3 years ago

  That S1 looks awesome and if its AWD and hopefully comes in a real manual it would make a better buy then the Polo GTi depending how its price against it as well.
• reply ” like !

  

  Reggie says,
  3 years ago

  Is it me? or the S1 has the front of an Evo and buttocks of an WRX.
  • reply ” like !

    

    Frogger says,
    3 years ago

    And if you cover up the front and rear, its got a bit of Fiat 500 down the sides too (especially in red).
• reply ” like !

  

  Ryan Ong says,
  3 years ago

  As good as the spec sounds, i bet its going to be priced on par to a BMW 1 series. This means high 30s for a small hot hatch. And there's just too many cars at that range that will outpower/out corner/out spec the S1.
• reply ” like !

  

  Frogger says,
  3 years ago

  Dear Audi,
  
  Please please please keep this car on a strict diet. The specs so far look delicious!
• reply ” like !

  

  Darren says,
  2 years ago

  This could well be the most pointless car in the history of forever.